Fall & Early season
I had a snowy drive to Smugglers' Notch this morning to be among the first to ski there on opening day. It's been a long time coming, eh?
It was snowing this morning and the snowmaking crew seemed to be out in force. I saw them here and there around the base area and along the rather long run that was open for skiing. Several guns were pumping out snow on the mountain.
Sterling lift was running this morning, accessing a winding run made up of Upper Rumrunner to Crossover to Treasure Run.
It...[Read more]
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
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Filed in: Alpine skiing, Fall & Early season, Smugglers' Notch
We're off and skiing in Vermont!
Have you hit the slopes yet? I plan to go on Tuesday; I'll be sure to let you know how it is. It's nice to see that occasional snow is in Vermont's forecast this week, as well.
This past weekend you could choose between Killington, Jay Peak, Okemo, Stowe and Sugarbush. Mount Snow opened today with a line of people waiting for their first lift ride, and Stratton and Smugglers' are opening Tuesday. More resorts are slated to open this coming weekend. Check my...[Read more]
Monday, December 7, 2009
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Filed in: Alpine skiing, Catamount Trail, Fall & Early season, Jay Peak, Killington, Mt. Snow, Okemo, Stowe, Sugarbush
This has been a nerve-racking time for New England skiers. The weather has been like a yo-yo since the first snow fell on Vermont ski resorts on October 1. Yes, back in October! Then again on October 12. But since then, it hasn't been pretty. Changing temperatures have brought snowmaking crews on and off the mountains.
We had a nice mountain snow dump last weekend, followed by warm weather again. So, resorts have been setting and changing their opening dates almost as fast as Lindsey Vonn...[Read more]
Friday, December 4, 2009
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Filed in: Alpine skiing, Fall & Early season
Now this is more like it.
I'd like to welcome winter to Vermont. Oh, how we've missed you!
This morning Vermont ski resorts are celebrating new snow and the return of seasonably cold temperatures on their peaks. The word is that the new snow is heavy and wet, but that sounds like the start of a great base to me.
The resorts are also reporting that snowmaking is underway again as temperatures have dropped. Several resorts are targeting to open their lifts by the weekend of December 5....[Read more]
Saturday, November 28, 2009
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Filed in: Alpine skiing, Fall & Early season, Jay Peak, Killington, Mt. Mansfield, Smugglers' Notch, Stowe
Have you got a coin nearby? Pick it up and toss it in the air. Heads = some Vermont ski resorts will open on Saturday or Sunday. Tails = they won't.
At this point, it's really up to Mother Nature to deliver some consistent cold temperatures for snowmaking. There is also some noise about the potential for natural snowfall on Friday night. It will probably hit while I'm driving home from my family's holiday gathering, no doubt.
I've updated the list of opening dates at this blog post called...[Read more]
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
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Filed in: Alpine skiing, Fall & Early season
Stowe, Okemo and Sugarbush ski resorts are all pushing back their opening dates. The resorts had planned to open November 21, but Mother Nature let them know that was not in the cards.
While we had cold weather earlier this fall that allowed for snowmaking and a few turns to be made, we've recently had unseasonably warm temperatures that will remain for at least a few more days.
I'm keeping an updated list of opening dates of Vermont ski resorts at this other blog post.
Photo: Snowmaking...[Read more]
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
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Filed in: Fall & Early season, Okemo, Stowe, Sugarbush
Killington resumes its sporadic early-season skiing on Friday and Saturday, November 13 and 14. Sunday’s operational status is on hold pending weather and snow conditions.
An interesting top-10 list was released recently: the World's Scariest Ski Slopes. Vermont actually made the list three times with Goat at Stowe; Black Hole at Smugglers' Notch; and Paradise at Mad River Glen.
I've skied two out of the three. How 'bout you?
Here's a link to the list with pictures and video.[Read more]
Thursday, November 12, 2009
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Filed in: Fall & Early season, Killington, Mad River Glen, Smugglers' Notch, Stowe
Killington will be running its lifts again on Wednesday. If temperatures move out of Indian Summer and back into early winter in a timely manner, they hope to open again for the weekend.
Several Vermont ski resorts are poised to resume snowmaking as soon as possible. Some have targeted opening dates of November 21.
Don't forget the Waitsfield Ski Swap this weekend. Details are found in my list of Vermont ski swaps. I hear American Flatbread will be at the swap serving up slices of pizza.[Read more]
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
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Filed in: Fall & Early season, Killington, Ski swaps
I just heard that Killington Resort will open for Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Good thing it's 3:30, any later and it would be night skiing!
They will be running the Northridge and K-1 lifts and there is no novice terrain available.
We've had nice cold evenings here in Vermont and several ski resorts have been making snow.[Read more]
Friday, November 6, 2009
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Filed in: Fall & Early season, Killington
Good news: Some Vermont ski resorts are firing up their snowmaking systems as temperatures drop again. On Jay Peak, for example, the weather service says it will get down to around 20 degrees (F) each night this week. Brrrrr. Sounds like perfect weather for making snow.
Here are a few events in northern Vermont in the next two weeks that can help get you in the mood for early-season skiing.
The Cochran's ski swap is this weekend and the Waitsfield ski swap is the following weekend. My...[Read more]
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
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Filed in: Fall & Early season, Ski movies, Ski swaps
Mount Snow is open this weekend with some rails and boxes in its Launch Pad beginner area. The mini-park is served by the novice triple chair.
Even with very limited terrain, about 400 skiers and riders came out on Saturday to start their season of sliding on the snow.
Unseasonably cold temperatures this month have allowed Vermont ski resorts to take the snowmaking guns and fans out of storage and make snow.
Mount Snow is not expected to remain open during the week. We'll see if they open...[Read more]
Sunday, October 18, 2009
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Filed in: Alpine skiing, Fall & Early season, Mt. Snow
Vermont ski resorts reported a couple of inches of fresh snow on their peaks this morning. When I went to check out the Mad River Glen Web cam at 9:15, I spotted this lone skier climbing to earn some very early turns! What timing!
Killington is also reporting that they started snowmaking for the season.
In some areas, the snow is making an artsy statement as it covers some very bright foliage of orange, red and yellow.
I'm so glad I hiked Camel's Hump yesterday before the snow came down....[Read more]
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
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Filed in: Fall & Early season, Killington, Mad River Glen
I received a list of Vermont ski resort opening dates in my email, as reported by Ski Vermont. Of course, these may change, depending on the weather.
As you may know, Colorado's Loveland Ski Area was the first to open in the country. They loaded their lifts with skiers for the first time on Wednesday, October 7. (Can you believe it?) It was their earliest opening in 40 years. We're closing in on the 2009/2010 ski season, folks!
Updated 12/19/09 - Check resort Web sites for the very...[Read more]
Friday, October 9, 2009
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Filed in: Alpine skiing, Bromley, Fall & Early season, Jay Peak, Killington, Magic, Middlebury Snow Bowl, Mt. Snow, Okemo, Smugglers' Notch
The National Weather Service reported three inches of snow fell at the top of Mt. Mansfield, Vermont's highest peak.
Here's a look at the mountain from the west this afternoon. It's got a nice white tuque!
[Read more]
Friday, October 2, 2009
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Filed in: Fall & Early season, Mt. Mansfield
The rumors are true; we've had our first snowflakes fall on Vermont mountaintops!
Twitter and Facebook are all a-twitter with excited skiers commenting on photos from their favorite Vermont ski resorts. Here are links to a few photos to get you psyched up, too.
Smugglers' Notch first snowJay PeakMad River GlenStowe snowKillington (video)
Remember, there are more ski swaps this weekend. See my Vermont ski swap post for the schedule.
Photo courtesy of Jay Peak Ski Resort.[Read more]
Thursday, October 1, 2009
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Filed in: Fall & Early season, Jay Peak, Mad River Glen, Smugglers' Notch
In Vermont, fall brings cool mornings, apple picking, colorful foliage and trail work!
Over the next couple of months, skiers will meet up in small work crews to prepare Vermont's cross-country and backcountry ski trail, the Catamount Trail. Section by section they'll clear fallen trees, make sure trail markers are visible and generally clear the way for skiers this winter. This 300-mile-long trail is a treasure for freeheeled skiers who like to get out in the woods when...[Read more]
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
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Filed in: Backcountry skiing, Cross-country skiing, Fall & Early season
It’s nice to see some smaller ski film producers sharing their wares in Vermont along with the likes of Warren Miller and TGR. Here’s a list of ski movies that I know of thus far – starting as early as September 5. Do check their Web sites for film details, date changes, etc.
Updated 1/20/10
September 5, 2009
“Neverland” by Absinthe Films
Merrill's Roxy Theater, Burlington,...[Read more]
Thursday, September 3, 2009
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Filed in: Fall & Early season, Ski movies
Yes, it's getting cool outside. I'm getting antsy, too.
Now's the time to plan your attack on Vermont ski swaps. What gear are you going to unload? What gear do you want to buy?
Well I can't exactly help you with those questions, but at least I can keep you up to date on the fall 2009 Vermont ski swap calendar. I'm adding dates & details as they are made available.
2009 Northern & Central Vermont Ski Swaps
Updated 1/7/10
September 26: South Burlington High School. Open...[Read more]
Monday, August 31, 2009
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Filed in: Cochran's, Fall & Early season, Killington, Okemo, Ski gear, Ski swaps, Smugglers' Notch
What a difference a day makes. Thursday's skiing reminded me of some of the spring skiing I enjoyed last season. After we waited out the morning rain (yes, rain!), we took to the Sterling lift at Smugglers' Notch. There we found soft snow that made you feel like a rock star!
Today, on the other hand, we were transported quickly back to December skiing. The temperatures had dropped overnight and we woke up to sunny skies. As we drove to Smugglers' Notch ski area you could see the snowmaking...[Read more]
Friday, December 5, 2008
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Filed in: Fall & Early season, Smugglers' Notch
Phew! I just snuck in under the wire. I'm happy to report that I took my first turns for the season in November — just as I did last year — even if it was the very last day of the month.
The Skimeister and I headed up to Smugglers' Notch, Vermont, today to take some early season runs and we were not disappointed. There was plenty of snow on the few snowmaking trails that were open. Natural-snow trails even had some coverage, but rocks, grass and dirt was still showing here and there so skiing...[Read more]
Sunday, November 30, 2008
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Filed in: Alpine skiing, Fall & Early season, Smugglers' Notch
What a combination: a snowy Mt. Mansfield and the glow of a setting sun. The mountain was pink this afternoon as the sun set. The photo is from a Web cam that is positioned at Burlington International Airport, looking east.
All this snow and cold weather gets me in the mood for skiing. Going to the Warren Miller film last night doesn't hurt, either! They had some fun skiing sequences from Iceland (wow, what a unique place!), Crested Butte, Japan, Alaska and even a little bit of Vermont. They...[Read more]
Sunday, November 23, 2008
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Filed in: Backcountry skiing, Fall & Early season, Mt. Mansfield, Ski movies
Since temperatures did a swan dive on Sunday evening, we've been enjoying steady, cold temperatures here in Vermont.
Snowmaking crews are working hard to lay down a good base, and Mother Nature even helped out with up to a handful of inches of fresh snow in the mountains. We even received about an inch of snow here in town this week.
Check out this Web-cam picture from Killington from this morning. The gondola is chugging skiers safely through the blowing snowguns. How luxurious — I usually...[Read more]
Thursday, November 20, 2008
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Filed in: Alpine skiing, Fall & Early season, Killington
It's raining here in northern Vermont and it's in the 50s. Yeah, it isn't a pretty picture.
But, hey, it's still early in November and we have some time for the weather to turn cold and for snowmaking to do its thing before Thanksgiving. And wouldn't it be wonderful if we had a dump of snow in the mountains that weekend like we did last year? (See last year's First Freshies post.)
The three ski areas that were going to run the lifts this weekend are not open.
Mt. Snow's Web site reports:...[Read more]
Saturday, November 15, 2008
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Filed in: Alpine skiing, Fall & Early season
I got an e-mail from Ski Vermont and it included a run-down of opening dates for Vermont ski resorts. Yay!
These are listed in chronological order. Please visit my Vermont Ski Resorts page and double check that they are open before you go—you just never know...
The temperatures here in northern Vermont are nice and cool through Thursday, but then it may warm up a bit, says NWS.
Vermont Ski Resorts — Projected Dates to Open
Mt. Snow: Projected re-opening weekend of November 14...[Read more]
Monday, November 10, 2008
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Filed in: Alpine skiing, Cross-country skiing, Fall & Early season
Killington ski resort opened for the ski season on Sunday, November 2. The Big K ski conditions page reports that they have two lifts, seven trails and three miles of skiing—all for the low price of $65 (gulp!). Skiers are accessing this terrain via the K-1 Gondola.
As you can see from this Killington photo, Sunday was a gorgeous blue sky kind of day all around the state. The Skimeister and I went for a hike near Bolton Valley Resort in the mid-afternoon, which felt like a late-afternoon hike...[Read more]
Monday, November 3, 2008
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Filed in: Fall & Early season, Killington
Is there snow in Vermont? Why, yes! The report from the tippy top of Mt. Mansfield is that there are 11 inches of snow at the stake—well above average for this time of year—due to the storm that came through this week.
Here's a Web cam shot from Underhill, Vermont, this morning. Underhill is on the western side of Mount Mansfield.
Here in the Champlain Valley we had about an inch or so, but much of that has melted to reveal the fallen leaves again. While there is still some more raking to do,...[Read more]
Thursday, October 30, 2008
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Filed in: Fall & Early season, Mt. Mansfield, Ski gear
Ah, the little white flakes are making their first appearance here in the Champlain Valley of Vermont. It is just flurrying here, but the snow is sticking a bit in the higher elevations. Vermont mountains saw a bit of snow earlier this month, too.
The Burlington Free Press reports that some northern Vermont towns have accumulations of an inch or less. East Albany reported one inch of snow and North Underhill and Eden each reported 0.6 inches, according to the National Weather Service....[Read more]
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
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Filed in: Fall & Early season, Jay Peak
'Twas the day before Thanksgiving, and all through the house, people were looking for their winter gear, and starting to grouse.
OK, I've found my boot bag, long johns, hats and mittens, helmet, and even my balaklava. But where the heck is my ski jacket and ski pants? I'm going to need these things pronto!
There are at least seven ski resorts open in Vermont this weekend for early-season runs. And we've received natural snow in the mountains and even a bit down in the Banana Belt of...[Read more]
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
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Filed in: Fall & Early season, Jay Peak, Killington, Mt. Snow, Okemo, Stowe, Stratton, Sugarbush
Today I donned my longjohns, grabbed my ski hat and gloves and headed not for the mountains, but for the lake. My husband, friends Pete and Nicole, and I jumped into a J24 sailboat for a race today on Malletts Bay, one of the major bays on Lake Champlain.
November's race series is often called the frostbite series, and today I found out why. In temps in the 40s on the water, I nearly froze my feet and fingers off because of the wind and waves; it was blowing strong at about 15-20 mph. I also...[Read more]
Saturday, November 10, 2007
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Filed in: Fall & Early season, Mt. Mansfield, Sailing
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